Lansing Lugnuts stadium plan: What about fireworks, broken windows and other answers to reader questions

LANSING — City officials on Wednesday announced a proposed $22 million stadium renovation project that involves adding apartments and a restaurant adjacent to the outfield at the Lansing Lugnuts' Cooley Law School Stadium.

MLive readers had several questions, comments and concerns about the project. Here are a few tidbits that should help address some of those questions.

Fireworks: There will still be fireworks at the minor league baseball stadium, but the launch site and shooting style will change to accommodate the nearby apartments.

Windows: Several people have asked about residents' windows getting smashed whenever a home run comes their way. The windows will be made of special ball-proof, two-way glass for protection and privacy.

Seating: General admission seating will shrink in favor of more box seats and other amenities. The lawn seating will be eliminated, said team owner Tom Dickson, who's building the apartments and restaurant along with Lansing developer Pat Gillespie.

Picnic/play areas: There will be new picnic and playground areas at the stadium, along with a catering venue, bar and restaurant options. There also will be a walkway around the field.

Ticket prices: One reader questioned if the project is an excuse to raise ticket prices. Dickson said he hopes that the additional park amenities bring in more revenue, which could help keep ticket prices down.

Similar project: Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids recently opened a new dormitory overlooking the school's baseball field. The project cost $11.1 million, including the stadium, new baseball field, a three-story, 48-room dormitory with athletic department offices, concessions and other amenities occupying the first floor.

Financial breakdown: The $22 million Lugnuts proposal calls for $11 million in publicly funded stadium upgrades along with an $11 million private mixed-use project which could receive public funding incentives.

The city already pays roughly $800,000 a year in bond payments on the stadium, with the debt set to be paid off next year. The new plan could extend bond payments at the current expense or lower for another 15 years, according to Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership.

The city also spends an average of $110,000 to $115,000 on capital improvements each year. Last year it paid another $300,000 for operating expenses, which isn’t expected to change much going forward, according to Scott Keith, president and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority.

The city receives about $350,000 per year from its lease agreement with the team, and hopes to negotiate another contract that could bring in around 25 percent more. Trezise also hopes to secure brownfield tax increment financing that would offset bond payments by about $140,000 per year.